ISLAMABAD, May 24: President General Pervez Musharraf has said that the United Nations reform process should be advanced through a consensus approach and without any arbitrary deadlines, stating that Pakistan is opposed to an increase in the category of permanent members of the Security Council. He said that already existing inequities in the Security Council should not be reinforced by expanding centres of privilege in the permanent category.

The president was talking to Ali Alatas, Adviser to the President of Indonesia and Special Envoy of the UN Secretary General, who had called on him on Tuesday. Briefing Mr Alatas on Pakistan’s position on UN reforms, the president said his country appreciated efforts of Secretary General Kofi Annan and supported, in principle, the reform process to enable the UN to respond effectively to new challenges.

He, however, emphasized that the UN reform process should focus on socio-economic development, achievement of millennium development goals and resources-development. In the context of concerns of the developing countries, the president said that the international community should facilitate return of illicitly acquired assets and proceeds of corruption to the affected countries.

Mr Alatas conveyed to President Musharraf greetings of the president of Indonesia and of the UN secretary general. Welcoming the envoy, the president recalled his recent visit to Jakarta in connection with the Asian-African Summit and his meeting with the president of Indonesia.

He expressed the hope that strengthening of cooperation between the two countries would continue in the context of bilateral relations as well as in the OIC, UN and other forums. The envoy appreciated Pakistan’s active role in international affairs and briefed the president on the secretary general’s UN reform proposals.

Mr Alatas, who has been visiting a number of countries to elicit their views on issues relating to UN reforms, appreciated warm hospitality extended to him by the government of Pakistan.—APP